Austria’s export economy took a hit in May, with a noticeable drop in shipments to major non-EU countries like China and the United States. According to Statistics Austria, the total value of exports fell by 1.6% compared to May of last year, totaling €15.17 billion. Imports, meanwhile, rose slightly by 0.9% to €15.93 billion, leaving a trade deficit of €760 million.
Exports to non-EU countries fell by 9.9% in May. China was hit especially hard, with overall exports down by more than 20% year-on-year. The export of road vehicles to China nearly stopped altogether, said Thomas Burg from Statistics Austria. Exports to the U.S. also dropped by 9.1% in May, and by 12.3% since the start of the year. The biggest decline came from medical and pharmaceutical products, down 44.3%. Imports from the U.S. also shrank by nearly 29%.
Trade with EU Partners Grows
Austria’s exports within the EU rose by 2.5% in May, totaling €10.62 billion. Imports from other EU countries slightly declined by 0.2%, resulting in a small trade surplus of €190 million for the month.
From January to May 2025, Austria’s total exports amounted to €78.95 billion – a decrease of 2.5% compared to the same period last year. Imports rose by 2.9% to €81.49 billion, creating a trade deficit of €2.54 billion. Last year at this time, Austria had a trade surplus of €1.84 billion.
